Albanian Tattoo
Poems
by
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Sami Milloshi’s newest book of poetry, Albanian Tattoo, is a scarring collection of literature. It reflects some of the collateral damage of emigration unaccounted for by a shallow assumption of hope in an American Dream. This discrepancy is admirably articulated in “Before you come home,” “In Between,” and “Nobody invites you to come back”. Milloshi’s work is a linguist’s playground. The discourse patterns are fascinating, at once cajoling and poignant as in “Tyrants and Metaphors”, but with a discernment and honesty the philosopher will praise, as in “What a Wonderful Day?” The learned will be at home here amidst sharp musings and hidden metaphors, like those of “In the time of War,” and “At Home with Nightingales.” The humorous can take heart in Milloshi’s dry sarcasm, “Shoveling snow,” “Tomorrow morning,” and “Prostitutes in Athens,” to name just a few. Parodies of romance in a technological age will quench the cynics thirst, while the romantics may lament and sigh over the same, “It is Beautiful When You Have Illusions” or “Downloading.” Albanian Tattoo would be equally at home in the global university as in the airplane seat pockets available to the brave at heart who take to the skies. It fits as snugly into the hand of cultured and traveled as it does the young and green and as it does to the faces “Obedient to Sunshine.” Milloshi is bold in this collection of poems about being caught in the crossfires of varying battlefields; country to country, man to woman, youth to age, realism to digitalism and back again. Albanian Tattoo indisputably leaves its mark.
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About the Book
Sami Milloshi’s newest collection of poetry, Albanian Tattoo, is an emotional exploration of some of the collateral damage of emigration unaccounted for by a shallow assumption of hope in an American Dream. Milloshi’s work presents a linguist’s playground, with fascinating discourse patterns, at once cajoling and poignant, cleverly interspersed with sharp musings and hidden metaphors. Milloshi’s second book of poetry not written in his native tongue, Albanian Tattoo examines the themes of homesickness, hope, and love of family and freedom. The use of his newly learned language to express his observations and his essence is surprising and innovative, even as the subject matter turns bitter. He reflects on his personal struggles and how they have deepened his thoughts about the values of life, making love and freedom sacred to him. I Saw My River I saw my river it flooded lands, dreams, houses, wedding parties, deaths, kisses, and all ached in my heart. I saw my river calming down songs and roses had no thirst expecting the caress of this waters to come they bloomed in my soul. My river is not a woman without womb, I know the source from which it flows!
About the Author
Sami Milloshi was born in Albania. After he graduated as a journalist from Tirana University, he worked for Albanian newspapers until 1999, when he emigrated to the United States. He lives in Omaha, Nebraska, where he works for Omaha Public Schools. This is his second book written in English.